Just read an article on Lance on CNN, where it mentions that his injury will cast “serious doubt” about his ability to contend for an 8th MJ in July. Up until today, was Astana planning on Lance for GC?
From what I can recall, I’d thought the whole plan was for Lance to try and podium for the Giro and then more or less ride the Tour as domestique (ride for a stage win), unless Contador was hurt or possible problems, etc.
Of course, I still have my doubts with Lance riding in support, espeically if he doenst ride the Giro. Just no way in hell he rides in support for Contador if he doesnt get his fun in the sun in the Giro.
I realize the collarbone is a serious injury for the cyclist, but I keep reading how he may now be out of the TdF. And I just dont buy it. Even if he is out 6-8 weeks, he can still ride in the TdSuisse or Dauphine. Yes he will lose some “riding fitness”, but I just kinda think this is getting blown out of proportion. He may have to ride the trainer 1 handed for a while, but he will have a month to really recover and get into that good riding fitness shape. Is this ideal way to go into the Tour, of course not, I just dont think it is a catastrophy that it seems like it is becoming for his Tour chances.
Just read an article on Lance on CNN, where it mentions that his injury will cast “serious doubt” about his ability to contend for an 8th MJ in July. Up until today, was Astana planning on Lance for GC?
In American journalism, there are no cyclists other than Lance. I doubt Astana had already planned on Lance being the GC guy. But American news outlets have been saying this since he started his comeback. I think it just boils down to the fact that most of America, including the journalists, don’t know anything about cycling, and think the Tour de France is the only bike race out there.
OR - I totally agree, and definitely don’t get my firsthand cycling news from CNN. I just hadn’t heard that, and it caught me off guard (as I was figuring he’d be riding for Contador). I was only really wondering if there was a grain of truth to that.
I doubt it. Last I heard, the plan was to wait until the race got closer, and then whoever was in better shape would be the GC contender. As much as I would love to see Lance come back and win an 8th, I don’t really expect it to happen. Especially with the injury now, we’ll have to wait and see.
I doubt it. Last I heard, the plan was to wait until the race got closer, and then whoever was in better shape would be the GC contender. As much as I would love to see Lance come back and win an 8th, I don’t really expect it to happen. Especially with the injury now, we’ll have to wait and see.
What I dont understand is how can you tell who is in better shape? I mean is it going to be based on race results? Of course now with the injury, it’s going to throw a loop in the decision, but really I dont see how you can really determine who is “on form”. What if one of them in the Dauphine or TdSuisse and basically peaks too early. It will defintely be an interesting dynamic. I just think its a hard decision to determine who is the “Tour leader”.
If the decision is going to be just default, I think it goes to Contador. But I just dont see Lance riding for Contador especially now that he doesnt or isnt likely to get the big Giro podium finish he wants. I think Lance has to do more to get the team leadership more than Contador does, as right now Contador looked to be in better form already in this season even before the injury. But could that mean Contador is peaking too early, no one will know.
I think the injury will just clarify Contador for the TdF and Lance is now forced to ride in support.
Hahaha, I love this response that someone wrote on Lance’s Facebook:
“Dude just ride with one arm. You’re freaking Lance Armstrong not Lance Armsstrong!”